Peru tour

1-Day Sacred Valley: Pisac/Ollantaytambo from Cusco (FD)

Itinerary

Day 1 :

Visiting: Sacred Valley, Urubamba Valley

GROUP TOUR (joining a group) (any day of the week):

Pick up at your Cusco hotel. A 45-minute bus ride will take you to the Sacred Valley for a full day visit to the Pisac ruins, its market and Ollantaytambo. The road winds slowly uphill behind the village to reach the Pisac ruins. The ruins are some of the finest and largest in the entire valley. Despite the excellent condition of many of the structures, little is conclusively known about the site's actual purpose. It appears to have been part city, part ceremonial center, and part military complex. It might have been a royal estate of the Inca emperor (Pachacútec). From here we can return by road or if time permits, we can hike down to the village on a well maintained trail that winds its way through extensive terracing reaching Modern Pisac, a picturesque Andean Village, typical except for the huge, spreading pisonary tree that dominates the central square. The village is best known for its market, some days of the week it is larger. In spite of its popularity the market retains much of its local charm, at least in the part where villagers from miles around gather to barter and sell their produce, on Tuesdays and Sundays. From here we head west along the Sacred Valley, having lunch on the way. Ollantaytambo, an attractive little village located at the western end of the Sacred Valley has been built on top of original Inca foundations and is the best surviving example of Inca town planning. The town is divided in canchas (blocks) which are almost entirely intact. Each cancha has only one entrance (usually a huge stone doorway), which leads into a central courtyard. We will visit the Inca ruins situated on a hill-top landscape with surrounding terracing and with ciclopean rock carvings. From the hill-top there is an extraordinary view of the village below and the surrounding countryside. Return to your Hotel in Cusco

If you are staying overnight in the Sacred Valley we will drop you off at your hotel; or return to Cusco and your hotel.

Duration: 8 hours (start Cusco; end either Cusco or Sacred Valley)

PRIVATE TOUR (any day of the week):

This option allows more flexibility, with optional visits to Pisac ruins, the Awanacancha Textile Center (llamas and alpacas), animal shelter/sanctuary, Chinchero and the Descanso recreation area. You may "design" your day's activities with the guide, based on time available! The guide will be more attentive to your interests, and provide personal attention.

Duration: 8 hours (start/end either Cusco or Sacred Valley)

Meals: L

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NOTE: This 1-day excursion is ONLY available as part of a longer trip. Please specify what other activities you would like to do on your trip.